GARDEN PARTY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1834, 14 January 1887, Page 31

GARDEN PARTY.

Mrs M'Kenzie and Mrs Mickie gave a garden party on Thursday afternoon in aid of the funds of St. Matthews' Church. The adjoining gardens were thrown into one, thus giving ample accommodation to the visitors. The afternoon was glorious and the bright sunshine glowed upon the .pretty costumes worn by the ladies, and put everyone into a good nu'mour. Lawn tennis was indulged in by a number t)f the guests. A band discoursed sweet| music, and there were strawberries and cream among other attractions.

These garden parties, should, be very attractive, and it is a wonder that," for church or charitable purposes, they are not more in vogue. I remember once' attending a garden pary and fancy fair at Opawa, Christchurch, which was patronised by hundreds. The stalls were arranged under the trees and were very effective, some of them being perfect bowers. At night 'the gardens were lighted with Chinese lamps, and the bright stalls, thrown into relief by the dark foliage of the trees, made a picture from fairyland. Then there was a dance upon the lawn, and a gipsy encampment, with pretty gipsies telling . fortunes by firelight, \ and selling fragrant coffee and tea. The idea was novel and of course proved attractive. If only Dunedin weather would admit'of a like undertaking I believe it would draw, as everyone is rather tired of bazaars. I trust that the venture of Mesdames M'Kenzie and Mickie has proved as great a Success from a pecuniary point of view as in other respects, for the ladies spared no pains to make it so.